Redshirt freshman Ben McLemore scored 22 points and No. 9 Kansas proved it was more than just a bully at home by beating seventh-ranked Ohio State 74-66 on Saturday.
It was the third victory for the Jayhawks (10-1) in little more than a year over the Buckeyes (9-2). Kansas won a 64-62 thriller in last year’s NCAA semifinals.
The Jayhawks, who had yet to play a true road game, held Ohio State without a field goal for more than 10 minutes of the second half. The Buckeyes, who were led by Deshaun Thomas’ 16 points, hit just 9 of 36 shots from the field in the final 20 minutes.
Jeff Withey added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Jayhawks. Elijah Johnson added 13 and Travis Releford 11.
Shannon Scott had a career-high 15 for the Buckeyes.
The game was expected to be a major challenge for Kansas, which has won nine in a row since losing to Michigan State 67-64 on Nov. 13 in Atlanta. The Jayhawks came in 7-0 at home, with two other games played before friendly fans in nearby Kansas City.
They had barely heard a boo all season.
After an even first half, the teams traded punches to start the second half. The Buckeyes scored the first five points, before Kansas scored the next six.
Each team had to deal with foul trouble, Withey getting his third with 12 minutes left in a close game and the Buckeyes sitting sparkplug Aaron Craft – the Big Ten’s defensive player of the year – after he picked up his third.
The Jayhawks finally forged a lead by holding Ohio State without a field goal for more than 10 minutes of the half. Thomas’ 3-pointer with 18:25 left gave Ohio State a 40-37 lead and their next basket – Amir Williams’ bucket inside off a Thomas assist at the 8:15 mark – cut the Kansas lead to 53-50.
Ahead 56-52 with 7 minutes left, Kansas pulled away thanks to its brilliant leading scorer. McLemore hit a pair of foul shots and then flipped in a 15-foot jumper that bounced not once, not twice, but three times before falling through. Off an inbounds pass, McLemore then came off a back pick and dunked to push the lead to 62-52 with 5 minutes left.
The Buckeyes never got closer than six points again.
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